What is pomegranate extract?
Pomegranate extract is pressed with powerful plant compounds called polyphenols that are outstandingly tall in cancer prevention agents. In reality, pomegranate juice has been appeared to have higher antioxidant levels than ruddy wine and green tea.
The most copious cancer prevention agents are punicalagins, which account for approximately half of the pomegranate's antioxidant activity. So what precisely does this effective pomegranate extricate do? Investigate uncovers it gives numerous amazing wellbeing benefits connected to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Here's an in-depth see at what pomegranate extract may do for your wellbeing.
What does pomegranate extract do?
Fights Inflammation and Oxidative Stress
Incessant irritation and oxidative stretch are key drivers of numerous unremitting illnesses like cancer, heart infection, Alzheimer's, diabetes and more. The powerful cancer prevention agents in pomegranate extract, particularly the punicalagins, can neutralize free radicals and decrease irritation all through the body. Numerous ponders appear pomegranate extract decreases fiery markers like C-reactive protein and interleukin-6. It improves antioxidant status and secures cells from oxidative stretch and harm. This anti-inflammatory impact is thought to underlie numerous of the other potential benefits.
2.May Help Fight Cancer
Thanks to its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, pomegranate extract has been studied extensively for its anti-cancer effects against several types of cancer including breast, prostate, colon, lung and others.
The polyphenols in pomegranate extract seem to inhibit cancer proliferation, invasion, and tumor growth while inducing apoptosis (cancer cell death). They also suppress inflammatory pathways involved in cancer progression.
While the results are promising, more research is still needed to confirm pomegranate's potential anti-cancer effects in humans. But it's a safe, natural way to boost your antioxidant intake from foods.
Supports Heart Health
Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Fortunately, pomegranate extract may help reduce several key risk factors for heart disease like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and oxidative stress.
Studies show pomegranate extract improves heart health by reducing levels of oxidized LDL cholesterol, increasing nitric oxide to improve blood flow, preventing plaque formation, and reducing inflammatory markers linked to heart disease.
Drinking just 8 ounces (240 ml) of pomegranate juice daily for 4 weeks has been shown to significantly reduce inflammation, improve cholesterol levels, and even potentially reverse existing plaque buildup in the arteries.
May Help Prevent Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a major health concern characterized by high blood sugar levels and insulin resistance. Emerging research suggests pomegranate extract may help prevent and manage diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity and reducing risk factors.
Pomegranate has been shown to inhibit enzymes that break down starches into simple sugars in the gut, resulting in lower blood sugar levels after eating. It also boosts insulin sensitivity, allowing cells to more effectively use blood glucose.
In one study, pomegranate extract reduced insulin resistance by over 50% in patients with type 2 diabetes. It may also help protect the blood vessels from damage often caused by poorly controlled diabetes.
Supports Cognitive Health
Neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's are often tied to oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain. Pomegranate extract is loaded with potent antioxidants that may help protect the brain from this type of damage.
Animal and test-tube studies reveal pomegranate extract protects brain cells from oxidative damage, reduces inflammation, inhibits the buildup of proteins linked to Alzheimer's, and may even stimulate the formation of new brain cells.
While more human studies are needed, early research is promising for pomegranate extract's role in preventing cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases.
What Pomegranate Extract Does for Skin
In addition to its internal benefits, pomegranate extract is also extremely beneficial for the skin when used topically. It's a popular ingredient in many skincare products due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties.
The potent antioxidants in pomegranate extract help neutralize free radicals that contribute to premature aging, wrinkles, dark spots, and dull complexion. It also reduces inflammation that leads to acne, redness, and irritation.
Furthermore, pomegranate extract is rich in vitamin C which is needed for collagen production to maintain skin's youthful firmness and elasticity. It also has astringent properties that help tighten pores and balance oily skin.
Using serums, creams, or masks containing pomegranate extract can significantly improve skin hydration, texture, tone, and radiance over time. It's suitable for all skin types, even sensitive skin.
What Pomegranate Extract Does for Men
While pomegranate extract provides many benefits for overall health, it may offer some unique advantages for men's health too. Here's a look at what it can do:
Supports Prostate Health Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide. Pomegranate extract has been extensively studied for its potential to prevent and treat prostate cancer thanks to its anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects.
The antioxidants and other bioactive compounds in pomegranate extract inhibit the growth, migration, and invasion of prostate cancer cells while inducing apoptosis (cell death). It also suppresses inflammatory pathways that drive cancer progression.
For men with prostate cancer, pomegranate extract slows the rise of PSA levels (a marker for prostate cancer progression) and may help increase the PSA doubling time.
Boosts Fertility Oxidative stress and inflammation are two key culprits behind male infertility and lower sperm quality. The potent antioxidants in pomegranate extract powder help neutralize oxidative stress and reduce inflammation in the testes.
Several studies show pomegranate extract improves sperm quality, motility, and morphology while increasing sperm concentration and semen volume. It blocks enzymes that damage sperm cells and boosts testosterone levels too.
For couples struggling with infertility, pomegranate extract is a safe, natural way for men to potentially improve their fertility.
When to Take Pomegranate Extract
You can enjoy the many benefits of pomegranate extract by drinking 100% pomegranate juice, eating the arils (seeds), or taking pomegranate supplements. The recommended daily dose is:
1-2 ounces of 100% pomegranate juice
1/4 to 1/2 cup of pomegranate arils
500-1000 mg of pomegranate extract or powder
For general health and antioxidant benefits, you can take pomegranate extract daily with a meal or anytime throughout the day. For specific conditions like heart health, prostate health, and fertility, higher doses spread throughout the day may be recommended.
As a nutritional supplement, pomegranate extract is considered safe and well-tolerated with no severe side effects in recommended amounts. However, it may interact with certain medications like ACE inhibitors and statins, so check with your doctor first.
How Long Does It Take For Pomegranate Juice to Work?
When consuming pomegranate extract or pomegranate juice, you can expect to experience some benefits quite quickly while others may take weeks or months. Here's a general timeline:
Within 1-2 hours: Increased antioxidant activity in the blood
Within 1-2 weeks: Improved blood flow, reduced oxidative stress and inflammation
Within 4 weeks: Improved cholesterol levels, blood pressure, skin quality
2-3 months: Slowed progression of prostate cancer, cognitive protection
6+ months: Reduced risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's
Of course, results can vary based on your individual health status, the condition being treated, and consistency with taking pomegranate extract.
Confusion
While the research on pomegranate extract is overwhelmingly positive, there is still some confusion over which form (juice vs extract) provides superior benefits.
Pomegranate juice contains sugar and is less concentrated than supplements. But the juice retains all the natural plant compounds found in the whole fruit.
Extracts, on the other hand, are highly concentrated sources of the polyphenol antioxidants like punicalagins. But they lack some of the other beneficial nutrients found in the juice.
Most experts recommend getting antioxidants from whole food sources like pomegranate juice or arils when possible. But high-quality pomegranate extract can provide a potent, convenient way to boost your intake as well.
Both forms can provide fantastic health benefits. Pomegranate extract may be more effective for specific conditions, while pomegranate juice is suitable for overall daily nutrition.
The bottom line is that pomegranate extract, whether from juice or supplements, is an amazing functional food that provides antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits for nearly every aspect of human health. Adding more pomegranates to your diet is an easy way to promote longevity.
References:
Viuda-Martos, M, et al. "Pomegranate and its Many Functional Components as Related to Human Health: A Review." Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, vol 9, no. 6, 2010, pp. 635-654., doi:10.1111/j.1541-4337.2010.00131.x
Garcí a-Valverde, V, et al. "Antioxidant Bioactivity in Different Tissues of Pomegranate Flower, Seed and Peel." Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, vol 93, no. 12, 2013, pp. 2833-2840., doi:10.1002/jsfa.5990
Zarfeshany, Asghar, et al. "Potent Health Effects of Pomegranate." Advanced Biomedical Research, vol. 3, no. 1, 2014, p. 100., doi:10.4103/2277-9175.124629
Sharma, Poonam et al. "Emerging Potential of Pomegranate in Prevention and Therapy: An Analysis." Journal of functional foods vol. 44 (2018): 188-210. doi:10.1016/j.jff.2018.02.035
Chen, Baochen, and Howard N. Mallick. "Benefits of Pomegranate Consumption and Exercise Intervention on Cardiovascular Health." Sports (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 7,8 174. 8 Aug. 2019, doi:10.3390/sports7080174
